Letter to Oscar Sampson from his sister, Dorothy Rathje,
when he was in Switzerland


This letter from Dorothy never reached Oscar - he had escaped by the time it arrived in Switzerland. Note the mention of the wounded crew member, Roy Hommer.

                                   Aug. 6 - 44
Dear Osc,

    Another week gone by, gosh how
the summer is flying. Hope the time
isn't going too slowly for you. Mom
said you've a few things to occupy
your time now and the food's good.
Still looking for word from you,
Mother is going to let me read the
letters you sent her, she said they're
so much closer than a cable.
                ...
We're all fine and miss you awfull -
Glad to hear the fellow that was hurt is
better, give yourself and them, Love & Luck
                from the kids       Sis and Ed
                              xxxxxxxx
 

The letter was addressed to Lt. Oscar C. Sampson, Camp of Military Internees, Da Vos Platz, Switzerland, and re-addressed c/o International Red X, Geneva. It reached Davos Platz after Oscar had escaped, and was returned. Note the notation in the lower right hand corner: "Evade 16 8 44" - escaped August 16, 1944.


 

All mail to Switzerland had to pass through the German military mail service, and this one was handled twice by the Germans. When it was finally returned (it was postmarked again in New York on January 6, 1945!), the back of the envelope now had the following stamps:
 

 
Geöffnet means "opened".  "Oberkommando der Wehrmacht" is the High Command of the German Army. The different color postmarks may have indicated incoming and outgoing mail. When families received their first letter from an interned family member forwarded this way, it was a little disconcerting.




Copyright © 2001 by Ed Rathje

Web page created by Ed Rathje - last updated October 11, 2001.